Method of making shoe last models



Aug. 1939- I w. M. BIDDLE 2,167,796

METHOD OF MAKING SHOE LAST MODELS Filed May 10, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1939- w. M. BIDDLE 2,167,796

METHOD OF MAKING SHOE LAST MODELS Filed May 10, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5/ fw C.

Patented Aug. 1, 1939 EJNETED STATES PATENT QFFTQE '7 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to shoe last models, and more particularly to a method of constructing a shoe last model from which lasts can be made having the proper heel heighth, heel pitch, and toe spring.

In modern shoe manufacturing last models are conventionally constructed from a master last model upon a last-turning machine. For example, in constructing a size 5 or larger last model from a master last model size 4, certain objectionable features result in the size 5 model because of the natural functioning of the last-turning machine. Specifically, the heel heighth is too great, the heel pitch is incorrect, and the toe spring is too great. The present invention contemplates the provision of a method of correcting these undesirable features in the last models constructed from a master last model by the use of such machine.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method of altering last models to correct the heel heighth, heel pitch, and toe spring thereof.

Another object is to provide a method of altering last models to correct the heel heighth.

Another object is to provide a method of altering last models to correct the heel pitch.

Another object is to provide a method of altering last models to correct the toe spring.

Another object is to provide a method of breaking last models along predetermined lines and supplying a suitable wedge at a selected point between the broken away portion and the major portion of the last to correct the heel heighth, heel pitch, and toe spring thereof.

Another object is to provide a method of producing last models which have proper heel heighth, heel pitch, and toe spring.

Another object is to provide a method of correcting the heel heighth, heel pitch, and toe spring of a last model mechanically enlarged from a master last model.

Another object is to provide a method of producing a larger size last model from a smaller size master last model which has substantially the same heel heighth, heel pitch and toe spring as the master last model.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a master last model showing in dotted lines a larger size last model constructed therefrom on a turning machine, heels being shown in connection therewith for illustrative purposes;

Fig. 2 is a side view of a master last model showing critical measurements;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the master last model shown in Fig. 2, showing in dotted lines a last model of a larger size constructed from the master model on a turning machine;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the larger size turned last model shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, disclosing lines along which the model is to be saw-cut;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the last model shown in Fig. 4, disclosing the cut-away portion in its selected new position relative to the major portion of the last model; and

Fig. 6 is a side view of the last model shown in Fig. 4, disclosing a fiat wedge between the major portion of the last model and the cut-away portion.

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numerals, Ill indicates a master last model which, for the purpose of illustration, is herein termed size 4. A heel ii shown in position against the heel seat E2 of the master model ll] having a minor heel heighth which is the vertical distance between the horizontal lines 93 and I5, and a major heel heighth which is the vertical distance between the horizontal lines l3 and E6. The toe spring of the master model 10 is indicated by the vertical distance between the horizontal lines 53 and M. The heel pitch of the model I0 is the angle the heel seat I?! makes with the horizontal.

Two critical measurements are shown on the master model Iii by the lines it! and iii, the former of which is that measurement between a point 28 on the center line of the vamp to a point 25 at the top line of the quarter at the back line thereof, while the latter is that measurement from the point 20 to a point 22 on the back line of the quarter at the heel seat. It is desirable that the toe spring, the heel heights, and the heel pitch of the master model Id be maintained in last models of larger sizes constructed from the master model.

In Fig. 1 there is shown in dotted lines a last model 23, designated for illustration as size 5, which has been turned from the size 4: master model It. The size 5 model, of course, extends forwardly and rearwardly of the size 4 master model. In the rearward continuation extension of the size 5 master model iii, the point 22 is raised to the position 22, which vertically is the distance between the horizontal lines it and H. The major heel heighth of the size 5 model 23 is, therefore, the vertical distance between the horizontal lines l3 and H, the minor heel heighth being correspondingly greater. The heel seat and shank of the model 23 are cut inwardly relative to the heel seat and shank of the master model, as is shown by the dotted line 9, thereby decreasing the heel pitch.

A heel of conventional heighth is shown by the dotted outline 25 beneath the heel seat l2 of the size 5 model. It is apparent that either the heel 25 must be increased in heighth or the heel seat i2 of the model 23 be lowered by rotating the model about the ball in order to engage the heel seat I2 and the heel 25. Obviously, neither of these corrective remedies is either desirable or satisfactory.

Referring to the toe of the size 5 model, it is observed that the toe pitch is increased over the toe pitch of the size 4 master model I3 by the vertical distance between the horizontal lines I4 and 24. This increased toe pitch is as objectionable as is the increased heel heighth and the altered heel pitch.

The present invention contemplates solving the heel and toe problems by altering the size 5 model 23. The size 5 model 23 (Fig. 4) is sawout along the right angularly disposed cutting lines 26 and 27, which divides it into a major portion 28 and a cut-away portion 29. The initial point 25 of the line 26 is established as sub stantially on the center line of the rear portion of the model 23 one and one-half inches from the heel seat l2. The saw-cut along the line 29 is substantially parallel to the heel seat portion l2. The initial point 21 of the line 21 is established at a short distance rearwardly of the front edge of the shank of the model 23. The saw-cut along the line 21 is at to the saw-cut along the line 26, and the planes of cleavage are likewise at right angles.

The saw-cut operation provides two sets of parallel surfaces 30, 3|, and 32, 33, the surfaces 39 and 32 defining the cut-out of the major portion 28 of the model 23, while the surfaces 3| and 3S define two sides of the cut-away portion 29. After the saw-cut operation, the cut-away portion 29 is moved forwardly longitudinally of the model 23 the distance of the thickness of the saw-cut so that the surfaces 32 and 33 are in contiguous relation. With the surfaces 32 and 33 in engaging relation the cut-away portion 29 is dropped downwardly from the major portion 23 until there is a gap between the surfaces 30 and 3!, the vertical distance of which, as indicated by the lines 34 and 35, is equal to the vertical distance between the lines l6 and I! on Fig. 1, plus the vertical distance the point 22 is moved in pivoting the model 23 about the forward portion to return the heel seat l2 to the heel pitch of master model ID. The pivotal movement of the model 23 moves the toe downwardly and provides a toe spring therein substantially equal to the toe spring of the master model ID. A filling material 36 is uniformly disposed between the surfaces 30 and 3| to form a fiat wedge. Subsequently, the point 31 of the cut-away portion 29 is trimmed down and finished to the full line configuration of Fig. 6.

From the reconstructed model 23 may be made through the use of a turning machine other models of the same size and configuration as model 23. The lasts upon which shoes are to be built can be made directly from the reconstructed last model 23 or from duplicate models turned from the last model 23. It is apparent that the last model 23 has a toe spring, a heel height,

and a heel pitch which are substantially the same as those of the master model In. Further, the critical measurement line I9 is disposed so that the rearward terminus 22' is at the same elevation as the rearward terminus 22 of the critical measurement line IS. The critical measurements are, therefore, corrected to correspond with upper pattern gradings, wherefore the uppers may be pulled over the lasts without undue stretching of the uppers.

It is thus clear that there has been provided a method of constructing a last model which achieves all of the objects and advantages sought therefor. It is to be understood that the foregoing description and accompanying drawings have been given by way of illustration and example and not for purposes of limitation, the invention being limited only by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. The method of constructing a last model comprising turning a last model of a greater length from a master model of a lesser length, and permanently lowering the heel seat of said model relative to the upper portion thereof to effect in the said model a heel height, heel pitch and toe spring substantially the same as the corresponding features in the master model.

2. The method of preserving in a last model of greater length turned from a master model of lesser length the same heel height and toe spring as those of the master model comprising lowering a section of the last model including the heel seat relative to the remaining portion of the last model, and securing the lowered section in its determined lowered position with the heel seat a greater distance from the top of the model than initially.

3. A method of making last models comprising the steps of turning an elongated last model from a master last model, saw-cutting said turned last model along two lines at 90 to each other to efiect the removal of a cut-away portion, disposing said cut-away portion relative to the cutout so that two corresponding surfaces are contiguous and two corresponding surfaces are predeterminately spaced, inserting a flat wedge between said spaced surfaces, uniting said cut-away in said cut-out with said wedge therebetween, and trimming away surplus material to provide a finished model.

4. The method of preserving in a last model of greater length turned from a master model of lesser length the same heel height, heel pitch and toe spring comprising saw-cutting said turned last model along a line substantially parallel to the heel seat, saw-cutting said turned model along a line perpendicular to the heel seat inwardly from a point towards the forward portion of the shank to intersect the first saw-cut, disposing the surfaces established by the second saw-cut in contiguous relation, permanently disposing the surfaces established by the first sawcut a predetermined distance apart, and trimming the extended portions of the cut-away.

5. The method of establishing in a last model, turned from a smaller master last model, a heel height, heel pitch, and a toe spring the same as the heel height, the heel pitch and the toe spring of the mater last model comprising saw-cutting said last model longitudinally in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the heel seat thereof from the back to a point above the shank portion, saw-cutting said last model laterally in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the first 75 saw-cut, disposing the pair of surfaces made by the second saw-cut in contiguous relation, and permanently spacing the pair of surfaces made by the first saw-cut a predetermined distance.

6. The method of establishing in a last model, turned from a smaller master last model, a heel height, heel pitch, and a toe spring the same as the heel height, the heel pitch and the toe spring of the master last model comprising saw-cutting said last model longitudinally in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the heel seat thereof from the back to a point above the shank portion, saw-cutting said last model laterally in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the first saw-cut, disposing the pair of surfaces made by the second saw-cut in contiguous relation, and permanently spacing the pair of surfaces made by the first saw-cut a distance the vertical measurement of which taken when the last model is in finished shoe position is equal to the vertical distance between the major heel height of the master last model and the major heel height of the last model plus the vertical distance the rear lower point of the last model moves in a pivoting thereof to reduce the toe spring thereof to equal the toe spring of the master last model.

7. A method of making last models comprising the steps of turning an elongated last model from a master last model, cutting said turned last model along intersecting lines to remove a section of the heel seat and shank portion including the lower surface of the heel seat, spacing said cutaway section relative to the main body of the last model so that the lower surface of the heel seat is located a greater distance from the upper surface of the last model than it originally was, securing said cutaway section in said new position, and trimming away surplus material to provide a finished last model.

WILLIAM M. BIDDLE. 

